Mumbai, March 24: India has announced a 15-member squad led by Harmanpreet Kaur for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa, starting on April 17, with Anushka Sharma getting her maiden call-up.
The five-match T20I series will begin with two matches in Durban on April 17 and 19. The action will then move to Johannesburg, which will host consecutive matches on April 22 and 25, before the series concludes with the fifth and final T20I in Benoni on April 27.
The 22-year-old all-rounder from Gujarat Giants, Anushka, has been rewarded for her outstanding performance in the recently concluded WPL 2026, where she emerged as the most expensive uncapped player. She was a key member of the Indian team that won the Rising Stars Women's Asia Cup.
After returning during the Australia tour in February, Bharti Fulmali has retained her place, providing depth to the middle order.
Fast bowler Kashvee Gautam has also been included in the touring party, strengthening India's bowling attack alongside Renuka Thakur and Arundhati Reddy.
Meanwhile, senior spin-bowling all-rounder Sneh Rana, along with youngster Vaishnavi Sharma, who was part of the T20I series against Australia in February, and all-rounder Amanjot Kaur, have been left out.
This series will serve as preparation for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, which begins on June 12 in England.
The two teams that clashed in the final of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 will meet for the first time since India defeated the Proteas to be crowned world champions in the 50-over format.
South Africa and India are in the same group at the T20 World Cup alongside Australia, Pakistan, and two teams from the qualifiers.
India's squad for the South Africa Tour: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani, Shreyanka Patil, Kashvee Gautam, Bharti Fulmali, Uma Chetry (WK), Anushka Sharma
Schedule:
1st T20I - April 17, Durban
2nd T20I - April 19, Durban
3rd T20I - April 22, Johannesburg
4th T20I - April 25, Johannesburg
5th T20I - April 27, Benoni